Showing papers in "Bothalia in 2020"

The importance of antimicrobial compounds produced by beneficial bacteria on the biocontrol of phytopathogens

Abstract: Bacteria produce antimicrobial compounds to compete for nutrients and space in a particular habitat. Antagonistic interactions can be evaluated by several methodologies including the double-layer agar and simultaneous inhibition assays. Among the well-known inhibitory substances produced by bacteria are the broad-spectrum antibiotics, organic acids, siderophores, antifungal, and bacteriocins. The most studied bacterial genera able to produce these inhibitory substances are Enterococcus, Lactococcus, Streptomyces, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Escherichia, and Burkholderia. Some beneficial bacteria can promote plant growth and degrade toxic compounds in the environment representing an attractive solution to diverse issues in agriculture and soil pollution, particularly in fields with damaged soils where pesticides and fertilizers have been indiscriminately used. Beneficial bacteria may increase plant health by inhibiting pathogenic microorganisms; some examples include Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus, Azospirullum brasilense, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas protegens, and Burkholderia tropica. However, most studies showing the antagonistic potential of these bacteria have been performed in vitro, and just a few of them have been evaluated in association with plants. Several inhibitory substances involved in pathogen antagonism have not been elucidated yet; in fact, we know only 1 % of the bacterial diversity in a natural environment leading us to assume that many other inhibitory substances remain unexplored. In this review, we will describe the characteristics of some antimicrobial compounds produced by beneficial bacteria, the principal methodologies performed to evaluate their production, modes of action, and their importance for biotechnological purposes.

Use of Biochar in agriculture.

Abstract: The objective of this review is to show in a general way how biochar (BC) can be obtained and its effects on the physicochemical properties of soils and physiological behavior of cultivated plants. BC is a product rich in carbon that comes from the pyrolysis of biomass, generally of vegetable origin. BC is obtained by the decomposition of organic matter exposed to temperatures between 200-900 oC in an atmosphere with low oxygen availability (pyrolysis), which can be slow, intermediate or fast. Depending on the biomass and the temperature used in its production, BC can contain high levels of elements such as carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, sulfur, among others. The main sources to produce biochar are forest, agroindustrial and manure residues. BC quality and physical-chemical characteristics will depend not only on the type of waste or plant material for production, but also on the plant photosynthetic apparatus. The high carbon contents present in organic matter, which are more resistant to biological and chemical decomposition, are stabilized by the pyrolysis process. When incorporated into the soil, BC remains stable for longer periods of time and is not volatilized into the atmosphere; this allows BC to be considered as an important compound for the mitigation of the impacts of polluting substances. Additionally, it has been found that BC application improves the physicochemical characteristics of the soil, including fertility. This improvement generates positive responses in the physiological behavior of cultivated plants such as the increase of germination, accumulation of dry matter, photosynthetic rate, yield and quality of the harvested organ. BC use opens important doors for the sustainable management of agriculture in Colombia. It can be considered in production systems exposed to heavy metals such as vegetables and perennial species, in order to reduce the impact of these substances on human health.

Garrapatas duras (acari: ixodidae) de colombia, una revisión a su conocimiento en el país

Abstract: Las garrapatas son artropodos de gran impacto sobre la economia pecuaria y la salud humana debido a las perdidas generadas en la produccion, y a su capacidad de transmitir microorganismos. Pese a la evidencia de circulacion de una gran diversidad de garrapatas en Colombia, no se cuenta con compilaciones actualizadas de la variedad de especies presentes, por lo cual los autores presentan una revision de literatura sobre las garrapatas de la familia Ixodidae reportadas en Colombia incluyendo su distribucion geografica, sus hospederos y los microorganismos reportados en aquellas especies registradas en este pais. En la recopilacion se evidencio la presencia en Colombia de diferentes especies de garrapatas de los generos Amblyomma , Ixodes , Haemaphysalis , Rhipicephalus y Dermacentor . El genero con mayor variedad fue Amblyomma con 29 especies, seguido de Ixodes con 11 especies, y de los generos Dermacentor , Haemaphysalis y Rhipicephalus se reportaron dos especies para cada uno. Las especies se distribuyeron en la mayoria de los departamentos de Colombia y en una amplia diversidad de hospederos entre los cuales se incluyen animales domesticos, sinantropicos y silvestres. Adicionalmente se encontro que algunas garrapatas reportadas podrian jugar un papel como vectores potenciales de diversos microorganismos que pueden afectar a la salud publica y veterinaria. Esperamos que este trabajo sea un aporte para apoyar la investigacion en garrapatas y el estudio de los agentes transmitidos por estas en Colombia.

Salt tolerant plants as a valuable resource for sustainable food production in arid and saline coastal zones.

Abstract: This review focuses on the potential of halophytes for food, fodder and biofuels production, as well as their impacts on the environment and societies. Moreover, to open new areas in production systems using novel technologies such as halophytes in a desert agriculture. We are faced with the crisis and the shortage of freshwater in arid, semi-arid and desert regions. For this reason, we have to apply sustainable systems for human food, fodder and biofuels. Halophytes are naturally resistant to salt and develop on the coastal coast and arid-saline areas. We present a complete summary of the current situation of human population growth and food demand, a sustainable alternative such as halophilic crops of agro-industrial importance compared with conventional crops and how they can be incorporated into agriculture sustainable in arid, desert and coastal areas, basing the above on success stories.

MECANISMOS DE ACCIÓN DE Bacillus spp. (Bacillaceae) CONTRA MICROORGANISMOS FITOPÁTOGENOS DURANTE SU INTERACCIÓN CON PLANTAS

Abstract: Some Bacillus spp. plant growth promoters are microorganisms recognized as biological control agents, which form a resistance structure called endospore, which allows them to survive in hostile environments and be in almost all agroecosystems. These microorganisms have been reported as an alternative to the use of agrochemicals. Its mechanisms of action can be divided into: production of antimicrobial compounds, such as non-ribosomal peptides (NRPs) and polyketides (PKs); hormone production, colonization capacity, biofilm formation and competition for space and nutrients; synthesis of lytic enzymes such as chitinases, glucanases, protesases and acyl homoserin lactonases (AHSL); production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs); and induction of systemic resistance (SRI). These mechanisms have been reported in the literature in several studies, mainly carried out in vitro . However, there are few studies that contemplate the interaction within the tritrophic system: plant - pathogenic microorganisms - Bacillus sp. (biocontrol agent), in vivo level. It is important to note that the Bacillus biocontrol activity is different when studied under laboratory conditions, which are biased to achieve maximum expression of the mechanisms of action. On the other hand, at the in vivo level, the interaction with the plant and the pathogen play a fundamental role in the expression of said mechanisms of action, being this closer to the real field situation. This review focuses on the mechanisms of action of the Bacillus promoters of plant growth, expressed under the interaction with the plant and the pathogen.

¿qué implicaciones ecofisiológicas tiene la actividad nocturna en reptiles “diurnos”?: una revisión

Abstract: This review is the first to summarize published studies that document nocturnal activity events in reptiles previously considered exclusively diurnal. The ecophysiological implications of this nocturnal activity in tropical and high-latitude environments are described and discussed from the perspective of optimal activity temperature ranges, tolerance thresholds, activity periods, cathemerality, voluntary hypothermia and its importance in the face of global climate change. Gaps in the research field are finally identified, and new lines of study are proposed.

Lipid vesicles: applications, principal components and methods used in their formulations: A review

Abstract: Los liposomas y los niosomas son actualmente las vesiculas lipidicas mas estudiadas en el area de la nanomedicina. El sistema formado por bicapas de fosfolipidos en medio acuoso, permite que estas vesiculas puedan cargar compuestos tanto hidrofilicos como lipofilicos, proporcionando el aumento de solubilidad de las drogas ya utilizadas en la terapia convencional. El foco del desarrollo de estas vesiculas debe estar direccionado para la determinacion de una composicion ideal, con baja toxicidad, biocompatibilidad y estabilidad por un largo periodo. Estas caracteristicas estan relacionadas a los componentes utilizados para la formulacion y las substancias que seran encapsuladas. Otro punto importante esta relacionado con los metodos utilizados para la formulacion, que son importantes en la determinacion del tipo de vesicula formada, sea ella grande o pequena, unilamelar o multilamelar. Teniendo en cuenta los estrictos criterios de acciones aplicadas en el desarrollo de estas vesiculas, esta revision busco reunir informacion actualizada sobre los diversos metodos utilizados, incluyendo sus principales componentes, considerando el comportamento de cada uno de ellos, cuando son utilizados en diferentes formulaciones. Ademas, se incluyeron datos que muestran la importancia de las formulaciones en el area medica, evidenciando estudios realizados con las vesiculas liposomas e niosomas como promisorias en esta y en otras areas. Este abordaje permite una mejor comprension de la participacion de componentes como el colesterol y los surfactantes no-ionicos en las formulaciones y tambien puede servir de base para la seleccion de los componentes y metodos ideales para futuras investigaciones en el desarrollo de esas vesiculas.

Antifungal activity screening of antarctic actinobacteria against phytopathogenic fungi

Abstract: The extreme weather conditions in the Antarctic have exerted selective pressures favoring differential features in bacteria to survive this untapped environment (i.e., antibiotic molecules). Notably, higher chances of antibiotic discovery from extremophiles have been proposed recently. Although new organic and environmentally friendly sources for helping in the control of plant pathogenic fungi are necessary, the information about anti-phytopathogenic applications of extremophile microorganisms from untapped environments is limited. In this study, we determined the antifungal effect of actinobacterial strains isolated from Antarctic soils and sediments. Co-culture inhibition assays and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) determination revealed that all Antarctic strains (x28) can inhibit the growth of at least one phytopathogenic fungi including Fusarium oxysporum , Rhizoctonia solani , Botrytis sp. and Phytophthora infestans . Additionally, new novel antagonistic relationships are reported. Our work establishes a precedent on Antarctic actinobacteria strains with the capacity to produce antifungal compounds, and its potential for developing new fungicides or biocontrol agents solving current agriculture problems.

On birds of santander-bio expeditions, quantifying the cost of collecting voucher specimens in colombia

Abstract: Hay distintas razones cientificas que apoyan la recoleccion de aves en Colombia, un pais megadiverso pero con una modesta inversion en ciencia. Pese al valor de las colecciones biologicas para el estudio riguroso de la biodiversidad, la informacion sobre costos monetarios de recolectar especimenes es escasa. Presentamos resultados de la cuantificacion del costo de obtener especimenes de aves durante tres expediciones en Santander (municipios de Cimitarra, El Carmen de Chucuri y Santa Barbara), Colombia, en 2018. Tras un esfuerzo de muestreo de 1290 horas/red y recolecta ocasional con una pistola de aire, obtuvimos 300 especimenes pertenecientes a 117 especies de 30 familias, una de las series mas grandes de la historia de la exploracion ornitologica del departamento de Santander. Reportamos diferencias entre expediciones en cuanto a la tasa de captura con redes de niebla, asi como diferencias en los tamanos de los taxones recolectados mediante redes de niebla y pistola de aire. Discutimos los resultados en el contexto de otras expediciones ornitologicas en Colombia, comentando algunos aspectos de la biologia de especies relevantes ( e.g ., Crypturellus erythropus , Megascops petersoni , Pyrilia pyrilia , Coeligena prunellei y Conopophaga castaneiceps ). El costo que calculamos para obtener y curar un especimen, incluyendo tejidos para analisis moleculares futuros, es de ~$60,4 dolares estadounidenses (~$196 176 pesos colombianos), costo que se encuentra dentro del rango para obtener especimenes de otros taxones en otros paises. Estos costos deben considerarse como una inversion al capital cientifico, debido a que los especimenes brindaran informacion biologica por cientos de anos.

ALTA PRESENCIA DE CADMIO RESULTA EN BAJA DIVERSIDAD DE HONGOS FORMADORES DE MICORRIZAS ARBUSCULARES ASOCIADOS A CACAO (Theobroma cacao L.)

Abstract: Arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi (AMF) are obligate symbionts present in rhizosphere of cocoa plants and their community diversity is modified depending on several factors, such as cadmium (Cd) presence in soil. AMF persistence on Cd natural enriched soils might be an indicator of their tolerance and their potential in biotechnological applications. In this research we characterized local AMF community structure present in cocoa rhizosphere soils with low (B-Cd: 0,1 mg kg -1 ) and high (A-Cd: 20,9 mg kg -1 ) natural Cd concentrations. AMF spore identification was carried out using taxonomic keys and their abundance, richness and diversity were determined in original samples and after multiplication process using onion trap cultures.AMF communities were compared using alpha and beta diversity indexes and principal component analysis (PCA). The results indicated that A-Cd presented significative lower values of abundance (21 %), richness (20 %) and diversity (11 %) of AMF morphospecies in comparison with B-Cd.Both AMF communities presented five of seven genera in common, but only four of 23 morphospecies described were found in two communities. Low similarity and turnover were found among AMF communities throughout beta diversity analysis and PCA.Dominance of Diversispora spurca , Rhizoglomus sp. and Claroideoglomus etunicatum in A-Cd suggests that these morphospecies are stress-tolerant and they are potential candidates for the development of mitigation strategies in cocoa plants under Cd stress.

RESPUESTAS FISIOLÓGICAS Y CAPACIDAD ANTIOXIDANTE DE Chlorella vulgaris (Chlorellaceae) EXPUESTA A FENANTRENO

Abstract: Aromatic hydrocarbons have a high toxicological potential; therefore, their evaluation in aquatic organisms has great importance. The microalgae C. vulgaris was selected because it is one of the most dominant algae species in water and due to its potential to degrade or absorb different xenobiotics. The objective was to evaluate the toxicity in C. vulgaris exposed to phenanthrene (PHE), evaluating physiological parameters such as cell density, the content of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b and enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) to define short-term toxic responses. Five different concentrations (0.1; 1.0; 10; 100 and 1000 µg PHE. L -1 ), a solvent control treatment (acetone) and control (without additives) were evaluated for seven days. A dose-dependent behaviour was observed in all physiological responses, decreasing progressively with the increase in PHE concentrations. Cell density, growth rate, cell diameter, and chlorophyll can be considered biomarkers of toxicity. The activity of CAT and SOD in C. vulgaris decreased considerably during the entire study period, possibly due to excessive production of reactive oxygen species generated by exposure to phenanthrene causing the inhibition of these antioxidant enzymes. Despite the evident toxicity of this hydrocarbon observed in this study, C. vulgaris presents a high resistance and adaptation to this contaminant, so it is possible to infer that this microorganism can show toxicological effects in an environment with this contaminant in a short period.

Ammonia toxicity affect cations uptake and growth in papaya plants inclusive with silicon addition

Abstract: Las altas concentraciones de amonio (NH 4 + ) pueden ejercer estres en las plantas cultivadas, lo que causa trastornos nutricionales y reduccion del crecimiento. Sin embargo, dependiendo de la intensidad del estres, este puede atenuarse mediante el silicio (Si). En este trabajo, se investigo la respuesta de la acumulacion de cationes y silicio y el crecimiento de plantas de papaya cultivadas en diferentes concentraciones toxicas de amonio independientemente de la presencia de silicio. El experimento se realizo en la Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), con plantulas de papaya, variedad Grupo Formosa (Calimosa hibrida 01), cultivadas en invernadero, en macetas de 1,7 dm 3 , rellenas con sustrato a base de fibra de pino y coco. El diseno experimental fue en bloques al azar, en esquema factorial 5×2, con cinco concentraciones de amonio 10, 20, 40, 80 y 100 mmol L -1 , en la ausencia y presencia de Si (2 mmol L -1 ), con cinco repeticiones. A los 31 dias posteriores del inicio de los tratamientos, se evaluo la acumulacion de calcio, magnesio, nitrogeno, potasio y silicio, altura de la planta, diametro del tallo y la materia seca de la raiz y los brotes. Los resultados revelaron que el aumento de la concentracion de amonio mostro toxicidad en plantas de papaya y una reduccion en la acumulacion de calcio, magnesio, potasio y silicio, la altura de la planta, diametro del tallo y la produccion de materia seca de raices y brotes, aunque el silicio este presente, con mayor afectacion en la materia seca de los brotes (87 %) que en las raices (13 %).

Predation of Brevicoryne brassicae and Aphis craccivora by Eriopis connexa depending on availability

Abstract: Predator species under field conditions can face different and variable densities of prey species. This work evaluated the functional response of the neotropical lady beetle Eriopis connexa(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) subjected to different densities of the aphids Brevicoryne brassicaeand Aphis craccivora(Hemiptera: Aphididae). Thus, predation rates were analyzed of fourth-instar larvae and one-day old adults of the lady beetle preying upon the aphids at constant densities of 20, 40, 50, 60, and 70 aphids with 15 repetitions per density. The aphids were offered on 5 cm leaf discs of each plant host. The handling times and attack rates were 0.03 h-1and 0.27 h-1for larvae and 0.03 h-1and 0.15 h-1for adults fed B. brassicae and 0.59 h-1and 0.35 h-1for larvae and 0.70 h-1and 0.95 h-1for adults fed A. craccivora, respectively. Both larva and adult lady beetles increasedpredation rate as a function of prey density offered, with an estimated maximum number of prey consumed of 30.3 and 31.6 B. brassicae and 36.3 and 34.6 of A. craccivora by larva and adult lady beetles at the highest prey density, respectively. In conclusion, larvae and adults of E. connexaexhibited a type II functional response.

Removal of ammoniacal nitrogen from municipal landfill leachate with floating Typha domingensis (Typhaceae)

Abstract: A promising method for the treatment of effluents is the use of floating macrophytes. Ammoniacal nitrogen is a typical compound present in urban landfill leachates and its removal is important due its toxicity to several organisms. Therefore, the study evaluated Typha domingensis survival and nitrification potential artificially floating in domestic solid waste leachate. Plants were exposed for 35 days to leachate (100, 75 and 50 %) and to rainwater with N:P:K (control). Dissolved oxygen (DO) of the treatments was periodically measured, and ammoniacal nitrogen, nitrite and nitrate were analyzed before and after exposure. At the end of the experiment, plant survival rate was calculated. After two weeks, DO increased twice in the control, three times in 50 % leachate, four times in 75 % leachate, and eight times in 100 % leachate. At the end of the experiment, ammoniacal nitrogen was no longer detected, there was a significant reduction of nitrite, and a significant increase of nitrate in the treatments containing leachate. Plant survival was higher in those individuals exposed to 100 % leachate and decreased at lower leachate concentrations: 98 %, 94 %, 92 %, and 86 %. The study demonstrated that the ammoniacal nitrogen concentration of the leachate was not toxic to T. domingensis , and that it was efficient in the removal of this compound from the effluent, indicating that the species may be used artificially floating for the removal of this contaminant from domestic solid waste landfill leachate when in low concentrations.

Terapia larval con musca domestica en el tratamiento de la úlcera leishmánica en un modelo murino

Abstract: Leishmaniasis is a disease with significant impact on public health, given the characteristics of the tegumentary lesions. Experimental treatment with larval therapy (LT) has shown its potential use for the cure of leishmaniosis. However, fly species not easy to collect and/or colonize have been used. The objective of the present work was to use a fly of accessible collection and high fecundity, not a producer of human myiasis, such as Musca domestica . A qualitative-quantitative study of a descriptive type was carried out through an experimental design with an animal model ( Mesocricetus auratus ) with infection by Leishmania amazonensis to evaluate the therapeutic effect of LT and compare the results with the antimonial chemical treatment of the drug experimental “Ulamina”. Scarring were observed with the use of LT in 66.66 % with TL-simple and 100 % with TL-combined. However, the combined use of LT + Ulamina, shows an enhancing effect of the clinical cure of the lesions, but with persistent inflammation. Optimal effectiveness of TL with M. domestica was observed on the ulcers; however, an effect on L. amazonensis was not observed given the presence of amastigotes in the smears and the 480 bp amplicons from the tissue of the ulcers of animals.

Otimização do método de produção massal de Trichoderma asperellum (Ascomycota: Hypocreaceae) em arroz

Abstract: Produtos a base de Trichoderma spp. sao amplamente utilizados no controle de doencas de solo. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi determinar o efeito de dois metodos de umedecimento do arroz (M1 e M2), duas posicoes distintas de acondicionamento dos sacos na sala de crescimento, e quatro diferentes areas de fita microporosa como parte do processo de otimizacao da producao de Trichoderma asperellum. O delineamento adotado foi fatorial (2 x 2 x 4) com tres repeticoes. Inicialmente foi ajustada a quantidade de agua a ser empregada no metodo M2, sendo testados os volumes de 0, 80, 100, 120, 140, 160 e 180 ml e, posteriormente, estes foram avaliados por meio de duas escalas de notas, uma para o desenvolvimento de micelio e outra para a esporulacao. Estimaram-se tambem as variaveis peso do arroz colonizado (PAC) e unidades formadoras de colonias (UFC) em dois experimentos, para ambos os metodos. Ao variar a quantidade de agua no saco, concluiu-se que o fungo e dependente de uma maior porcentagem de umidade no substrato, com diferencas significativas (P <0.01) para as interacoes duplas e triplas entre os fatores testados. O metodo M2 permitiu uma maior economia de tempo, proporcionando tambem valores superiores para PAC e UFC, combinados com a posicao horizontal e com uma area de fita microporosa de 20 cm2 . Tal combinacao promoveu o maior desenvolvimento do fungo T. asperellum nas condicoes testadas.

Actividad biocontroladora in vitro de macrohongos contra diferentes hongos fitopatógenos

Abstract: Fungal diseases in plants are a major concern in agricultural production. Macrofungi are a potential source of antifungal compounds that could be used to control these diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro biocontrol activity of four macrofungi of the genus Xylaria , Agrocybe , Psilocybe and Stereum on different plant pathogenic fungi. For this purpose, the growth curve of macrofungi was determined on two carbon sources: potato dextrose and wheat bran, interactions and the in vitro inhibition on phytopathogenic fungi were also characterized. Subsequently, extraction and characterization of secondary metabolites of the intracellular, extracellular and filtrate of homogenized of mycelia and broth culture were performed only on the fungi that showed greater inhibition percentage. Finally, the in vitro antifungal activity of this extracts was evaluated. Growth curves changes with the carbon source, three of four isolates show greater accumulation of biomass in potato dextrose than wheat brand reaching the stationary growth phase longer. Xylaria interactions were classified mostly as replacement, obtaining the highest level of antagonism on potato dextrose. Two of the three extracts assessed showed antifungal activity in all three pathogens isolated at concentrations of 18 µg/ml for biomass methanol extracts and 2.5 % for filtrate of homogenized with inhibitions from 10 % to 80 %. Characterization of the metabolites of Xylaria showed as possible compounds responsible for the activity of the fatty acids. This work showed the potential of these fungi for the control of fungal diseases.

Una “araña pirata” (Araneae: Mimetidae) en el ámbar del Mioceno Temprano y actualización del listado de arañas fósiles para Chiapas, México

Abstract: En busca de contribuir al conocimiento de la araneofauna fosil en Chiapas, Mexico, se describe y fotografia una “arana pirata” (Araneae: Mimetidae) descubierta en una pieza de ambar del municipio de Simojovel de Allende, con una edad de 23 millones de anos (Ma). Esta familia fue citada anteriormente en el ambar del Baltico, Republica Dominicana y la India. Al mismo tiempo, se actualiza el listado aranas fosiles en el ambar de Chiapas, registrandose a la fecha 20 especies descritas. Subsecuentemente, este numero podria aumentar, con la revision de nuevo material.

Determination of Hematological Values of Common Crocodile (Caiman Crocodilus fuscus) in Captivity in the Magdalena medio of Colombia

Abstract: Caiman zoo breeding ( Caiman crocodilus fuscus ) has been developing with greater force in Colombia since the 90s. It is essential to evaluate the physiological ranges of the species to be able to assess those situations in which their health is threatened. The objective of the present study was to determine the typical hematological values of the Caiman ( Caiman crocodilus fuscus ) with the aid of the microhematocrit, the cyanmethemoglobin technique, and a hematological analyzer. The blood samples were taken from 120 young animals of both sexes in good health apparently (males 44 and females 76). The samples were taken from the coccygeal vein between the second and third interscalar space with lilac lid vacutainer tube whit acid ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic as an anticoagulant. The animals are located in the middle of the Magdalena area in Colombia. The results obtained on average were Hematocrit: 23.36 %, Hemoglobin: 7.78 g/dl, Red blood cells: 3.89 106/μL, Average corpuscular volume: 60 fl, Average corpuscular hemoglobin concentration: 33.33 g/dl and Average corpuscular hemoglobin: 73.9 pg. This is the first study of hematological values for this particular species in Colombia.

Food selection and use of space by didelphis pernigra (Didelphidae: Mammalia) in a suburban andean environment

Abstract: Cities have grown throughout the Andes and we know little about the ecology of those species that tolerate them, limiting our options to do conservation. We applied optimal foraging theory to examine the behavior of the Andean White-eared Opossum ( Didelphis pernigra ), in a suburban area in Bogota, Colombia. We used the giving-up density technique, which uses the amount of food left in a feeding patch, to evaluate whether the opossum’s foraging costs were affected by the height of food from the ground, and the quality and quantity of food. We also evaluated whether the spatial heterogeneity of the study site affected the opossum’s foraging. We used an artificial feeding patch to test these ideas. When food was either concentrated and, in less amount, (concentrated food) or diluted and more amount (diluted food), the opossums preferred to forage at 2 m than at 0.5 m, but concentrated food at 0.5 m was not significantly different from diluted food at 2 m. The opossums’ habitat use was affected by the spatial heterogeneity at the study site and animals preferred foraging along metal fences than on live fences made of trees. When a cable allowed connection between the metallic and live fences, the value of food patches at the live fence appeared to increase. Thus, although the opossums need resources associated with natural environments, our results suggest that there are human modifications that can benefit them, such as those that reduce the risk of predation and favor their mobility in suburban environments.

Percepção dos moradores sobre os canteiros da arborização viária de Curitiba, Paraná

Abstract: No ambiente urbano nao somente as arvores sao importantes, mas tambem os canteiros onde estao plantadas e as composicoes paisagisticas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a percepcao dos moradores da Regional Matriz em Curitiba (Parana) em relacao aos canteiros da arborizacao viaria. A pesquisa foi realizada utilizando os canteiros da arborizacao viaria com presenca de composicao paisagistica em 16 bairros e seis zonas residenciais da Regional Matriz. Fez-se uma amostragem estratificada totalizando 82 residencias. As coletas de campo foram efetuadas no mes de abril de 2017 e consistiram em aplicar questionario com 10 perguntas para cada residencia amostrada, em que se abordaram o perfil dos entrevistados e a percepcao deles sobre os canteiros. Em 82 residencias foram encontradas pessoas disponiveis para participar da pesquisa. Grande parte dos entrevistados (63) respondeu que aquele espaco tinha valor estetico. Boa parte dos moradores (77%) que participou da pesquisa soube citar o nome de pelo menos uma especie plantada em frente a sua casa e, destes, apenas 23% lembraram de uma especie nativa. Conclui-se que os moradores reconhecem a funcao estetica dos canteiros e contribuem com a composicao paisagistica destes em frente a sua residencia.

Registros de dryophthorinae (coleóptera Curculionidae) de la costa caribe colombiana

Abstract: Dryophthorinae is a relatively small weevil subfamily associated mainly with monocots. There are species in Colombia considered pests in the palm and Musaceae crops. In this document, a list of the species of Dryophthoridae for the departments of the Colombian Caribbean coast is presented, based on data from entomological collections and literature review. For the region, 11 species were recorded: Cosmopolites sordidus , Dynamis borassi , Mesocordylus striatus , Metamasius hemipterus , M. hebetatus , Polytus mellerborgii , Rhynchophorus palmarum , Rhodobaenus sp., Rhinostomus barbirostris , Sitophilus zeamais and S. oryzae , some of which are registered for the first time for the area. The importance of systematically sampling this group, and studies leading to improve knowledge about their distribution and biology, as well as its impact on agricultural production and their potential as pests in the country, are discussed.

Componentes químicos y actividad antimicrobiana del aceite esencial de Lasiocephalus ovatus (Asteraceae) que crece en Ecuador

Abstract: Ecuador is one of the richest countries in biodiversity and endemism in the world, and nearly 3200 plant species have medicinal uses. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the chemical composition and the antimicrobial effect of essential oil of Lasiocephalus ovatus Schltdl. (Asteraceae) collected at Chimborazo Province, Ecuador. The aerial parts of L. ovatus were subjected to hydrodistillation to obtain essential oil, which was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The activity was evaluated against five bacteria and one yeast using the broth microdilution technique in 96-well microplates. The oil yield was of 0.05 %, and 27 compounds were identified, representing 95.45 % of the total composition with a high content of oxygenated monoterpenes (52.17%). The main compounds were camphor (40.48 %) and 1,2,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclopentadiene (11.90 %) followed by p-mentha- 1,5-dien-8-ol (5.23 %) and 1,6-dimethylhepta-1,3,5-triene (4.69 %). The antimicrobial effect of the essential oil was major against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 200-400 μg/mL and bactericidal of 800 μg/mL. Antimicrobial inhibition against the bacteria Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 700603 and the yeast Candida albicans ATCC 10231 was low, with minimum inhibitory concentration ranging from 800 to 6400 μg/mL. This report represents a first study of the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the oil of L. ovatus, therefore, an important contribution to the study of the genus Lasiocephalus.

Los ensamblajes de murciélagos de la serranía de la lindosa son diversos y heterogéneos

Abstract: The Serrania La Lindosa is a geomorphological formation with land cover heterogeneity. This area faces a contradictory situation because it has high biodiversity and provides several ecosystem services, and yet it is one of the current largest deforestation sites in Colombia. Bats is a taxonomic group with high expected diversity in La Lindosa, but there is little published information about this group. This paper presents the results of bat inventories carried out during five years in the Lindosa mountain range. Additionally, diversity is compared in terms of species richness, composition and structure of bat assemblies in two main types of vegetation cover evident in the area, which are humid forests and casmophytic savannas. Inventories collected information on 735 captured bats, corresponding to 46 species. Of these, 14 species were found only in casmophytic savannas, 11 in humid forests and 19 in both types of vegetation. Thus, there is high complementarity in bat species composition between the two vegetation types. Additionally, the structure of bat assemblies varied between the two environments, with a proportional distribution of species abundance more homogeneous in casmophyte savannas than in forests. Besides, a greater number of rare species was found in casmophytic savannas. In general, the high diversity of bats of the Serrania de La Lindosa could be associated with vegetation heterogeneity, presence of different cave types and evolutionary history of bat species associated with the Guayana Region.

Depredacion por insectos de nidos y neonatos protegidos de podocnemis vogli (sabanas inundables del casanare).

Abstract: The savanna side-necked turtle ( Podocnemis vogli ) is a river turtle of mainly lentic aquatic environments that centers its reproductive period in the dry season; its eggs are a significant source of nourishment in the food web that includes humans as well. Therefore, by monitoring and installing metal mesh we protected the nests during three spawning seasons (2016-2018). After using the mentioned protection strategy other possible predators or parasites, such as the insects, became evident. We observed that when monitoring clutches, organisms such as ants and parasitic flies took advantage of the newborn hatchlings inside the nests. In both cases, the affectations by both species caused considerable injuries in the neonates, which eventually showed a precarious state of health and even died rapidly. This is the first time that predation on P. vogli neonates by these insect species has been reported, in which physical protection strategies are not functional

Systematic considerations on two species of nectarivorous bats ( Anoura caudifer and A. geoffroyi ) based on barcoding sequences

Abstract: La reciente atencion taxonomica recibida por los murcielagos de cola corta representantes del genero Anoura (Glossophaginae: Anourina), ha resultado en el reconocimiento de especies completas a partir de subespecies pertenecientes a los complejos de especies llamadas Anoura caudifer y A. geoffroyi . La amplia region en la que se distribuye el genero muestra una alta complejidad en el Caribe, America Central y del Sur, incluye una gran complejidad ecologica y caracteristicas geograficas como los Andes y el Istmo de Panama, previamente identificadas como barreras naturales que restringen el flujo de genes para otros taxones de filostomidos, siendo potencialmente responsable de la estructura geografica entre las subpoblaciones de Anoura . A la fecha, la contribucion de los factores biogeograficos en la divergencia genetica del genero no se ha investigado. Utilizamos secuencias de codigo de barras (citocromo oxidasa subunidad I, COI) para analizar estos factores en las poblaciones de los complejos A. caudifer y A. geoffroyi en America Central y America del Sur. Nuestros analisis respaldan la estructura geografica de las poblaciones centroamericanas previamente identificadas como A. geoffroyi lasiopyga , lo que sugiere la necesidad de cambiar su estado taxonomico a nivel de especie. Nuestros analisis tambien resaltan la diversidad no reconocida dentro del complejo A. caudifer para la costa del Pacifico en el norte de Ecuador.

BIOACTIVITY OF EXTRACTS FROM SOLANACEAE AGAINST Zabrotes subfasciatus

Abstract: The botanical family Solanaceae has many species producing compounds with insecticidal properties, e.g. nicotine and capsaicin, which are used for pest management in agriculture. This fact provides perspectives to identify insecticidal compounds in Brazilian native species of Solanaceae. In this study, we performed a screening with 25 ethanolic extracts from 17 Solanaceae species in order to evaluate their bioactivity against the Mexican bean weevil, Zabrotes subfasciatus(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae). The bioactivity of Solanaceae ethanolic extracts (2500 mg kg-1) was tested with residual contact bioassays. Adults ofZ. subfasciatus were exposed to treated bean grains, and adult mortality, oviposition, F1progeny and damages on grains were quantified. Most of the ethanolic extracts from Solanaceae reduced the number of eggs per sample, the egg-adult viability, the F1progeny and the damages on bean grains promoted byZ. subfasciatus, but none of them interfered on its sex ratio. Ethanolic extract from leaves of Solanum lycocarpumA. St.-Hil promoted the most promissory effects on Z. subfasciatus. This ethanolic extracts can be a suitable alternative to control Z. subfasciatus in stored beans, mainly for small farmers and organic farmers.

Antimicrobial peptides, an alternative to combat bacterial resistance

Abstract: Antimicrobial peptides of higher organisms have been studied for the past 25 years, and their importance as components of innate immunity is now well established. The essential simplicity of their chemical structure, along with the lower likelihood of developed resistance compared to conventional antibiotics, has made them attractive candidates for development as therapeutics. The objective of this review article is to describe the current relevance, main mechanisms presented, and the uses of antimicrobial peptides as new therapies in the clinical area. The information used was mainly compiled from scientific articles based on a systematic review of scientific papers with data on human antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and their different applications, searching without date limits and only documents in English and Spanish. Gray literature was accessed through manual search, and no restrictions were made involving study design for a retrospective study. Although these products have not yet been commercialized, they have advantages over the currently available treatments since they are not expected to cause bacterial resistance due to their three-dimensional structure, amphipathic tendency, and cationic character; however, the technique of peptide production is still new and is in the early stages of innovation of new molecules.

Marcadores serologicos del virus de hepatitis b en pueblos indigenas del estado amazonas, venezuela

Abstract: Venezuela has a level of intermediate prevalence of Hepatitis B, with four foci of high endemicity associated mainly to indigenous population. The prevalence found in the Venezuelan Amazon have different distributions among the peoples, observing different epidemiological particularities. The aim of this study was to report the prevalence of Hepatitis B in the indigenous population of different geographical regions of the Amazonas State that have not yet been evaluated, by determining serological markers: HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBV core antibody (Anti-HBc). Blood samples were tested from 1390 individuals from 15 indigenous populations (Baniva, Bare, Curripaco, Jivi, Mapoyo, Maco, Piapoco, Piaroa, Puinave, Saliba, Warekena, Yabarana, Yanomami, Yekuana, Yeral. Prevalence of exposure to the virus (Anti-HBc) was 37.6 % and the prevalence of active infection (HBsAg) was 5.6 %. Prevalence of exposure to the virus was directly proportional to age. No significant difference was found in relation to sex. A significant difference was found in Saliba people who show prevalences significantly smaller than the rest of the indigenous peoples ( p <0.001), while the observed in Yabarana was significantly higher ( p <0.001). A significantly higher prevalence of HBsAg was found in Yabarana people ( p <0.001). It can be predicted that there is a relationship between prevalence of exposure to hepatitis B virus and geographic distance to urban centers.

Cambios en diversidad y distribución de peces nativos con la presencia de dos especies invasoras en el río atacames, noroccidente del ecuador

Abstract: The interpretation of biological diversity can be very complex, as it exists a dynamic based on the origin and diversification of species, in addition to anthropogenic effects, such as the introduction of invasive species, which can result in the local extinction of the native ones. The aim of this study was to analyze the temporal variation (2012 and 2017), in composition and distribution of the ichthyofauna along the Atacames River in northwestern Ecuador. In 2012 we recorded: 1) the presence of Astyanax ruberrimus, which was reported locally extinct by 2017; and 2) the tilapia (Orechromis niloticus) as the only introduced fish species present until 2017, when the addition of the non-native guppy (Poecilia gillii) occurred . In addition, the increase in human activities conduced to change in diversity, abundance and distribution of fish along the watercourse, which resulted in dispersing of some species towards the upper reaches of the river basin.